Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Painting a Buddha and hydrangeas is a pretty nice way to spend an afternoon. This grouping happens to be what I see when I wake up every morning - which is also a pretty nice way to start a day. I took a lackluster photograph of the Buddha and flowers, painted roughly 50% from the reference, then put it away and let intuition take care of the rest.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I appreciate all the congratulations I've been getting - I honestly couldn't grasp it until I saw it with my own eyes. I got my copy today. Yay. I was awarded Finalist in the International Artist Magazine'sPeople & Figures Competition. They chose a painting I had done this past August, titled 'Walk Through'. You can read the copy here, on my website.

This is a lesson on self-doubt too. I entered nine paintings in the competition last year - and I placed as a Finalist - which blew my mind. When it came up again this year, I said to myself 'they wouldn't pick me again - I couldn't be that lucky'. As the clock was ticking down the days to enter, I got closer to just jumping in. So I did. And I couldn't be more proud. Don't doubt yourself - when you can acknowledge you've worked hard to get where you are - today - take some gutsy chances. You never know where it'll lead.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

It is a rare thing for me to paint someone I know - honestly, I'm usually traveling alone, so everyone's a stranger. But on this occasion, inside the Smithsonian American Art Museum, I caught a glimpse of my boyfriend underneath the massive mural 'Achelous and Hercules', painted by Thomas Hart Benton - an artist we both have a great affection for. When I was around 15 years old, I convinced my art teacher and the principal of the school to allow me to paint a 50 foot by 2 foot mural in the hallway - depicting American history events. A large portion of it was painted much like Benton - those recognizable, exaggerated figures with vivid colors. It got me out of gym class for three months, which was my intention in the first place.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I think the real gift an artist has is the ability to see the world a little brighter, a little more colorful - even in the simplest moments. From a city sidewalk in Washington, DC.

This same subject was the past week's challenge on my Different Strokes From Different Folks Blog, resulting in 82 different artistic versions of the original reference photograph. I asked the participants to turn the photo upside-down and paint 95% of their piece inverted - to exercise the brain in a different way. I did the same. By doing so, you paint what you 'see', rather than what you 'know'.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

A week? Where am I .......Well, it's been a combination of catching up with real life (I'm still not done with my laundry) and my frame shop business, sorting out thousands of photographs I've taken in the past few months and frankly, being stuck. I experimented with several different ground colors on paintings, failed on four different pieces, then started a new painting that involves a complex and awesome painting by Thomas Hart Benton. Yikes.

Some weeks have no flow. It happens. I've come to realize it means I'm overwhelmed. Today I'll clean up my studio, finish my laundry and tackle the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle - and hopefully I'll feel that rhythm return tomorrow.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

I'm back from Charleston - as you can see Mother Nature was very good to me during the entire three days. Warm afternoons, cool nights and crystal-clear skies. Lucky me. They don't call it the Holy City for nothing - you take ten steps and there's a church. It's a beautiful city.

The auction was a great experience - I was captivated for the entire two and a half hours. It was manic. Lightning fast. I've never seen anything like it. And I'm so proud to report both of my paintings sold. I am so proud.

So....... I'm happily home for a good while and it's time to get to work with new ideas and new paintings ahead.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

I am obsessed with shadows - mostly trying to understand them. Meaning if shade falls on a certain color, what color does it become ..... things like that. From the corner of 7th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington, DC.

I've never been to an art auction. Although I've contributed paintings to several charity auctions in the past years, I've never been included in a for-profit art auction until now. Gulp. This Saturday night is the Annual Charleston Art Auction, held at the downtown Renaissance Charleston Hotel - and I'm going. Gulp. I have two paintings to be auctioned off - and patrons can either bid at the event, cast an absentee bid or call in a live bid. I just have to see this - it sounds very exciting. The auction is sponsored by Morris & Whiteside Galleries, who will be representing me - if you would like more information, please go to the official website for all contact information as well as a viewable catalog of the art featured in this event. Wish me luck - it's a brand-new adventure for me.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

There's one of many advantages to having my boyfriend join me on my photo-taking travels - he often spots something around the corner that I would have missed. And naturally, he appreciates the beauty of women. So thanks to Brett for my new painting today - from a phone booth inside the National Gallery of Art.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Feeling particularly democratic - I chose the U.S. Capitol Building as my subject today, as well as the weekly challenge on my Different Strokes Blog. This view is from 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington, DC - where I just returned from a quick and enjoyable couple of days. Love that city. I stress - if you find yourself there - you must visit the American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery. An often-overlooked stop, but the best art collection in the area.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

I tried something different - by painting on a bright red ground color. The trick is to take advantage of the undertone and allow it to come through in the edges and painted areas. It works particularly well with skin tones - I love the results.

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"You should keep on painting no matter how difficult it is, because this is all part of experience, and the more experience you have, the better it is... unless it kills you, and then you know you have gone too far."~ Alice Neel

"If I had the energy, I would have done it all over the country"- Edward Hopper

"It's what you carry to an object that counts."- Andrew Wyeth

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"When I'm old and gray, I want to have a house by the sea. And paint. With a lot of wonderful chums, good music, and booze around. And a damn good kitchen to cook in."